“I’ll have an orange soda, cheeseburger and fries, please,” Molly requests sweetly to the waiter. “Oh, and a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.” Brian stares at her for a moment. She was exactly like her brother. Clearing his throat, he orders a turkey sandwich on wheat, figuring that Justin is ordering room service upstairs. “Justin is pretty pissed at us,” Molly states, picking at the napkin in front of her. “He’s always been a bit on the dramatic side,” Brian replies with a shrug. He knew Justin was angry, but he was angry before Brian arrived so it wasn’t anything he was planning to take personally. Glancing at the blonde girl in front of him, he forces a smile, “He’ll be alright.” She sighs, “I know. It’s just hard for him too, you know.” Brian nods. He was glad to know that Molly understood that Justin was mourning as well. Taking a deep breath, he looks her over. It was incredible how much she looked like Jennifer. He could only imagine how much harder that must make it for Justin every time he looks at her. “It’s not that I suddenly hate Pittsburgh,” she says suddenly. Brian nods. Deciding it was best to just listen. The waiter arrives with the drinks and quickly leaves once again. “I miss my friends… Joanne, Christy, Emily… they’re my best friends.” She continues. Biting her lower lip, she looks down at her hands. “But I’m good at making friends. I can make new ones here.” Brian leans back against the chair, “Is that what you want?” he was pretty sure her answer was ‘no.’ Her eyes begin to fill with tears, “I miss my parents, Brian.” She quickly wipes away a tear before continuing, “When my mom and dad divorced, it was really hard for me. More for me than for Justin I think, because I still lived at home. And then I had to move out of my house, out of my room… and into another place. Just my mom and me… and it was okay, but I missed my dad. And I missed being a family. My dad would see me as much as he could: he was always really busy. But he made time for me. He said he would always make time for his princess. And my mom always made time for me too. Even if she had to work, she’d still make time for me. If I had a bad day, she would come home early and we’d cook something really festive together and then watch funny movies. And I started to get used to the idea that Mom and Dad lived apart… and they would both come to my dance recitals, and they wouldn’t fight during it at all.” She stops to catch her breath. “And then I wake up and get ready for school… say bye to my mom as I jump into Christy’s brother’s car… and I go to school…. And while I’m at school, someone goes and kills my parents,” she shakes her head in disbelief and anger. “They kill them, Brian! While I’m at school, hanging out with my friends and having a good time…. My mom and dad are dead.” More tears start to fall and she wipes them with the sleeve of her sweater. Brian hands her a napkin. He was never good at this. “I hate them,” she whispers. “And I know it’s bad to say, but I hate my grandfather because I know this is all his fault.” This food arrives and Brian finds himself just staring at it. Forcing a smile, she shrugs, “I guess I’m dramatic like Justin, huh?” He smiles softly, “I think you’re fine.” Taking a fry, she chews on it pensively, “Justin says we can move wherever I want.” Brian is silent. Of course Justin would say that. Justin would do anything to make his sister happy. “You really love him, don’t you?” She asks, taking a sip of her soda. He nods. “He loves you too.” “I know.” “It was pretty awesome for you to come here looking for us.” Molly admits. Brian says nothing and instead takes a bite of his sandwich. “Justin used to talk about you a lot.” She confides, then blushes a little. “He would always censor it though because he thinks I’m some little kid, but I’m going to be thirteen soon, you know.” Brian can’t help but smile. The two of them continue to have a pretty decent conversation, and after a few moments of silence, Brian spots one of the waiters’ obvious attempts to check him out. Arching his brow, he takes another sip of his water. The waiter smiles, letting him know his interest. “Excuse me for a sec, Molly,” Brian asks once he sees the man pass through the kitchen doors. Molly, busy with her cake, simply nods. Brian slowly makes his way into the kitchen. The man smiles and asks suggestively, “May I help you with something?” Brian smiles back, “You might.” ********************* ************************ ******************** Upstairs, Justin finishes his burger and slowly picks at his fries. He wasn’t mad anymore, just annoyed. Taking a sip of his water, he walks over to the window and looks out at the view. Carl would be arriving back in London before dinner. Frowning, he wasn’t sure what kind of statement he and Molly should make. Part of him kept thinking it would be best to lie, but then again, he was never very good at lying. Leaving the window, he sits down on the bed and turns on the television, hoping a movie might put his nerves at ease. Within minutes, he can hear the elevator doors opening and the sounds of laughter coming down the hall. Laughter? Yes, it was laughter. Brian and Molly were laughing. The door opens and the two enter with smiles on their faces. Justin scans them both, “No visible injuries… so I’m figuring lunch went well?” Molly smiles, “It was good,” then yawning add, “but all that shopping made me sleepy. I’m going to take a nap.” Waving at them, she walks through the adjoining door and closes it behind her. Justin looks up at Brian, who was still standing there with a Cheshire cat grin. “What?” It’s then that he notices a plastic bag in his hand. “What’s in the bag?” Walking over to the bed, Brian states, “I’ve learned to accept the kindness of strangers,” and with that, he empties to bag onto the bed. “Holy shit!” Justin laughs, staring at the dozen condoms in front of him.